Flexible chain



Sept. 30, 1947. w. F. HESS FLEXIBLE CHAIN Filed Aug. 27,. 1946 I Patented Sept. 30, 1947 FLEXIBLE CHAIN William F. Hess, Providence, R. ll. Application August 27, 1946, Serial No 693,271

2 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to ornamental chains, particularly for use with articles of jewelry, and has particular reference to a novel flexible chain made of interlocked links.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an ornamental chain made of a plurality of separate links which are interlocked together.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel link construction which is readily manufactured by stamping from sheet metal or the like, and which may be readily interlocked with similar links to provide a continuous chain of desired length.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in View, the invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more specifically defined in the claims appended thereto.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view or" a length of flexible chain embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a novel stamping for one of the chain links;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the link in the position it assumes previous to assembly;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a length of assembled chain; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing two interlocked links, and disclosing the manner of interlocking.

It has been found desirable to manufacture an ornamental chain by utilizing stamped or blanked out link elements which are interlocked to pro- 35 vide a continuous length of chain having a solid appearance, the chain possessing substantial flexibility so that it may be used for jewelry or for other ornamental arrangements.

Referring to the drawings, the novel ornamental chain H) is composed of a series of interconnected links H, the links being of a size and form so that they may be readily stamped out of thin sheet stock and interlocked to complete a chain assembly. Each link It is formed from a blank l2, see Fig, 2, which has a base l3, preferably of rectangular form and slightly dished or cupped as illustrated, the upper end it of the base having a terminal wing 85 of rectangular form which extends laterally as illustrated, and the wing l5-having an upwardly bent terminal tab it, which has a vertical inner edge H and an inclined or beveled outer edge it, for the purpose hereinafter described. The lower end 19 of the base has a similar wing 29 extending laterally therefrom, at the opposite end of the blank from the wing I5, the wing 2!! having a terminal tab 2| which has a vertical inner edge 22 and an in- 5 clined outer edge 23. The side 24 of the base has a wing 25 extending laterally therefrom, contiguous to the wing I5, and having a terminal tab 26 which has a vertical outer edge 21 and an inclined inner edge 28, and the opposite side 29 has a wing 30 contiguous to the wing 20 and having a terminal tab 3| provided with an upright inneredge 32 and an inclined outer edge 33.

When the wings 29 and 30 are bent upwardly as illustrated in Fig. 3, the terminal tabs 2| and 38 are bent inwardly at right angles to the wings form an oppositely positioned solid corner having inwardly directed locking tabs 55 and 26, the diametrically opposite corners being open as illustrated. When another blank i2 is now positioned on top of the blank shown in Fig. 3, the

wings are completely bent as illustrated in Fig.

5, and the wings of the upper finding seat within the open corners of the blank as shown in Fig. 3,

and the locking tabs 2!, 3!, it and 26 are folded over to lock over the open portions of the sides 0 M, I9, 24 and 29 to lock the two links together. A third blank may then be positioned on the upper portion of the second blank and the wings folded inwardly and the locking tabs folded in place, whereby the chain II] is built up to a desired length.

twisting of the assembled chain.

The above described construction thus provides an ornamental chain made up of links having solid appearing corners, whereby the chain has great rigidity, as the corner wings support and reinforce each other to obtain a very rigid interlook.

It is obvious that the link blanks may be stamped out of any desired material, and may be of any size or shape, a square or rectangular shape being preferred, and that the wings may be of The above described construction thus provides any desired height so as to provide as much flexibility as is desired.

Although I have described a specific embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that changes in the size, shape and material of the parts may be made to suit the requirements for different flexible chains, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a chain construction, a series of interlocked links each comprising a base having straight sides forming corners, each side having a wing extending from one corner and of a width slightly less than the width of the side, the wings of adjacent sides being contiguouos and bent at v right angles to form closed corners, whereby the corner adjacent each closed corner remains open with exposed side portions, the closed corners of 4 one link fitting into the open corners of the lower adjacent link, said wings having end lock tabs bent to look over the exposed side portions of the upper adjacent link.

2. A blank for a chain link comprising a base having straight sides forming corners, each side having a wing extending from one corner and of a Width slightly less than the width of the side, the wings of adjacent sides being adjacent, each wing having a bendable end lock tab.

WILLIAM F. HESS.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Hicks Sept. 14, 1943 Number 

